Shloka 39

Matsya Purana — The Pushkara Manifestation

Devanagari script

मृगव्याधः कपर्दी च दहनो ऽथेश्वरश्च वै अहिर्बुध्न्यश्च भगवान् कपाली चापि पिङ्गलः //

Transliteration

mṛgavyādhaḥ kapardī ca dahano 'theśvaraśca vai ahirbudhnyaśca bhagavān kapālī cāpi piṅgalaḥ //

Translation

He is the Hunter (who subdues the wild), the Wearer of matted locks, the Burning Fire; indeed, the Lord; the blessed Ahirbudhnya as well—also the Skull-bearer, and the Tawny-hued One.

Word by Word

mṛgavyādhaḥthe hunter (slayer/subduer of beasts)

kapardīone with matted hair/topknot (jaṭā-dhārī)

dahanaḥthe burner, fire

athaand then/also

īśvaraḥthe Lord, sovereign

ca vaiand indeed

ahirbudhnyaḥAhirbudhnya (a Vedic epithet/name of Rudra, ‘serpent of the deep/foundation’)

bhagavānthe Blessed Lord

kapālīskull-bearing ascetic

ca apiand also

piṅgalaḥtawny/reddish-brown-hued, the tawny one

Speaker

Sūta (narrative voice) presenting a Rudra/Śiva name-list within the Matsya Purāṇa discourse

Entities Mentioned

RudraŚivaAhirbudhnya

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

It does not describe pralaya directly; it presents Rudra’s epithets emphasizing cosmic power—especially “Dahana” (the burning fire), a force that can signify transformative dissolution in a broader theological sense.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

As a litany of Śiva’s names, it supports dharma through devotion and disciplined recitation; kings and householders are encouraged in Purāṇic ethics to uphold order by worshipping the Lord who embodies sovereignty (Īśvara) and restraint (ascetic Kapālī).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it functions as a name-recitation (nāma-japa/stotra) suitable for Śiva worship; iconographically, names like Kapardī (matted hair) and Kapālī (skull-bearer) guide recognizable Śiva attributes used in temple icons.